Spanish hard-line policy toward Moriscos was driven by bureaucratic self-interest

Evidence

In this confrontation between royal power and Hornachero rebelliousness, royal power prevailed in that the Crown finally did rid itself of rebellious subjects. But in many ways, particularly with regard to the bearing of arms, we may note that these singular Moriscos always got what they wanted. Since L´opez Madera had been sent to Hornachos with the task of imposing the law and suppressing insurgency, one must wonder whether what his mission brought to light impelled the authorities to hasten the exit of the Hornacheros on their own terms, to get rid of these troublemakers as soon as possible and at any price. — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1719 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Thus the most radical of measures were already being debated at this point, some thirty years before the final expulsion. It is to be noted that already in the 1580s the “Morisco Question” was by some perceived as having a solution outside Spain itself. (The international dimensions of the “Morisco Question” are discussed in the following chapter.) What had begun as an entirely internal matter, a domestic issue, now was to be solved in some way overseas. And so the powerful Spanish monarchy found that in order to deal with this “domestic” matter, it needed to involve its experts in foreign as well as home affairs. It cannot be a coincidence that when at last in 1609 the final decision was made to put the Expulsion into effect, it was done on the very day that a twelve-year truce with the Netherlands was signed. — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1369 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The Morisco expulsion was tied to Spain’s foreign policy needs — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1369; Sixteenth-century Spain was plagued by self-appointed policy entrepreneurs — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1180; Spain shifted the expulsion’s administrative burden onto the Moriscos themselves (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• The Crown expelled troublesome Moriscos on the rebels’ own terms #complicates (0.75) — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1719
• The Morisco expulsion was tied to Spain’s foreign policy needs #complicates (0.72) — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1369